I will share new products that I find to help our families affected with Autism and news stories that I find interesting.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

As Many As 1 In 3 Teenagers with Autism Are Hitting the Highway!

Everyone
is excited about getting their driver’s license and getting out on the road.
For people with autism, there is just as much excitement and anticipation. For
1/3 of teens with autism, this dream is fast becoming a reality!

Every adolescent looks forward to
the day they can get behind the wheel of their own
car and become mobile and independent. Driving can help to increase mobility
and independence for young teenagers with the autism spectrum disorder. A study
by Allison Curry of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Injury
Research Preservation found.

“We know that driving can
increase mobility and independence for adolescents with ASD [autism spectrum
disorder], but little was known about
their rates of licensure. Our results indicate that a substantial proportion of
adolescents with ASD do get licensed, and support is needed to help families
make the decision whether or not to drive before these adolescents become eligible
for a learner's permit,” she added in a recent hospital news release.

The researchers in the study used
data obtained from New Jersey teenagers. They found that one out of every three
teenagers with autism, but no intellectual disability, had obtained an
intermediate driver license as soon as they turned 17. Of all teens with autism
that obtained a learner’s permit, 82% went on to receive their intermediate
license within a year. For teens, not on the autism spectrum, 94% went on to
get their intermediate license within one year of getting their learner’s
permit.

“For teens on the autism
spectrum, the decision to pursue a driver's license is one of several milestones that other families might
take for granted. Independent means of transportation contributes to other
long-term opportunities, such as post-high school education or employment, and
being socially involved and connected within
their community,” study co-author Benjamin Yerys
said. He's a scientist at the hospital's Center for Autism Research.

But Yerys pointed out that "ASD can affect decision-making,
information processing and attention to varying degrees." Yerys said experts need to understand what
resources, specialized instruction, and other support might help teens with ASD
who want to drive.